SEPTEMBER 2014

WOW, We did alot in September!  I think I am going to go ahead and keep the pictures in the order that they are in, instead of trying to organize them into activities.  Zayne and I went to Nash Farmstead (in Grapevine, Texas) and he was able to try on clothes that little boys wore back in the early 1900's (or maybe even earlier!).  He learned how to make rope from twine; how they died yarn; make dishes and cups; and toys (i.e., corn husk dolls).  We had so much fun! For lunch we visited an old train ... but the museum was closed so we could only admire it from the outside.

Another day we visited Klyde Warren Park, which is a park that was built over a freeway in downtown Dallas.  As you can see they have several things that kids can climb on and a splash park! We enjoyed visiting this park several times throughout the year especially on Thursday evenings when they have free live Jazz Concerts!!

We had a friend in the neighborhood that invited us to join their Academy soccer team, since they knew that we were looking for a new team.  The coach seemed to be very knowledgeable, a little rough, and yelled alot but actually thought it would be good.  Zachery improved so much during this time and Zayne enjoyed playing with the younger brothers of Zachery's teammates.  With Academy soccer there are some restrictions, like they have uniforms they wear for practice and even the type bags they want on the sidelines during the game.  Even in the off season we had practice twice a week for 90 minutes.  It was a little different and required alot of time!

For our crazy day we spent the day at the Dallas Arboretum for their Autumn in the Arborvitae Days, which we were able to get alot of good pictures!  Then we surprised the boys with going to the Balloon Festival.  It was a fun packed full day and had some melt-downs by the end of the day.  But all in all it was a blast!!

Some of their creations out of Trio's.  Zachery made a person and Zayne made a boat.  As like Zachery did at Zayne's age he loved the tank park!! Just wish we had more friends to come play with us!!

AUGUST 2014

Trip to Washington to See GREAT Nana

Before school started we did a quick trip to Washington State to visit Great Nana, who lives in Brewster, WA.  My brother, Cal, lives in Tacoma (which is on the other side of the Cascade Mountains) and was suppose to come with us but wasn't able to get off work.  So we visited him for one night and went to this really cool hamburger joint called Lefty's.  On our way to Brewster we stopped in Leavenworth, a small Bavarian town.  Then onto Brewster to see Great Nana.  Nana fell ill the day we arrived, so we weren't able to see her very much.  But we had a GREAT time visiting different tourist attractions, like the dam and a nature preserve.  We also visiting Lake Chelan.  And threw ALOT of rocks. 

   First Day of Second Grade

Can you believe it, the first day of second grade.  Yes, can you tell that he was literally saying "Come on Mom!".  We walk to school every morning, which helps get any morning jitters out and release a little bit of morning energy!  Zachery loves to get to school early in order to play on the computers in the computer lab.  He had Mrs. Patel for second grade.

Homeschooling Zayne

I am so excited to say that I was able to stay home this year with Zayne and home school him before he heads off to Kindergarten.  On Monday's we had Musikgarten, Tuesday's we would play at the recreation center up the street from where we live and on Friday's he would have Little Sluggers.  Little Sluggers was a group of neighborhood kids that hired a private coach to teach them baseball basics.  Zayne loved it and was able to make many new friends!! 

Around the House

The boys are missing camping, and I have to admit I miss our camping trips too.  Right now it is so HOT in Dallas, I just can't sleep outside yet.  But I told them they could ... they didn't last long before they were ready to come back inside.  

JULY 2014

Hiking in July

The boys and I enjoyed an early morning hike.  I have to confess it was in a neighborhood I was a little nervous about!  But we brought our binoculars and compass and set out on our adventure.  We got lost and eventually found our way back to the car, but we were all a little emotionally exhausted.

Florida Vacation

Yep, we went to Florida this summer.  Actually rented a home for the week, which I have to say was more pleasant than a hotel!! We spent a day at the beach, surprised everyone with a day at Disney World, two days at Busch Gardens another amusement park in Florida, and a day on the water with Jay's niece.  We absolutely loved finding sand dollars in the sand.  Zachery tried the paddle board, which was awesome!  

We had so much fun and everyone was definitely sad when we had to go back home!

No Zayne didn't loose his swim trunks ... look at that tan line!!

Zach and I got soaked on this log ride at Busch Gardens, it was so fun!!